Clear Creek Aikido

Tomiki-Ryu Aikido

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Sixty Seven

Always try to be in communion with heaven and earth; then the world will appear in its true light. Self-conceit will vanish, and you can blend with any attack.

"The Art of Peace" by Morihei Ueshiba

Jyodo

History

In 17th century Japan, the role of the military, and the Samurai
was at its peak. It was customary a maturing warrior to embark
upon a journey to further hone his fighting skills, (not to
mention his reputation and employment possibilities). A Shinto
Priest, Muso Gonosuke Katsuyoshi trained in Tenshin Katori Shindo
Ryu Ken Jitsu, rising to become the 7th Grand Master of that style.
He also became highly proficient in Kashima Shingyu Ken Jitsu as
well as bojitsu. His training journey took him to Edo, (Tokyo),
where after defeating some of the finest warriors, he encountered
Miyamoto Musashi, Japans most legendary swordsman. The undefeated
Musashi used the Niten Ichi Ryu sword style, two swords crossed to
trap an opponent's weapon, and defeated Gonosuke. Recognizing that
Gonosuke's skill was greater than any of his other opponents Musashi
allowed Gonosuke to live. Gonosuke retreated to the southern island
of Kyushu to sharpen his skills, and to meditate. He ultimately
reached Homaizan, (Mount Homan), which was not only a favored spot
for meditation for both Buddist and Shinto acolytes, but also a
popular spot for Yamma-Bushi, (Mountain Warriors), to train.

The legend is that while Gonosuke was in a state of deep meditation,
a Mountain Spirit in the form of a boy appeared to him, and revealed
a vision of a shorter version of the bo, (approximately 6 foot long
staff). This shorter staff, ~50 ¼ inches long, and 13/16 inch in
diameter, Gonosuke called the Jyo. The spirit imparted the secret
techniques by which any swordsman could be defeated; techniques which
combined the cutting stroke of the sword, the sweep of the naganata,
the thrusting of the yari, as well as the defensive blocking motion
unique to the Jyo itself. Gonosuke called the art Shindo Muso Ryu
which translates roughly as "Heavenly Dream Style". He challenged
Musashi once more, and with the Jyo, served Musashi his only defeat.

Shindo Muso Ryu grew to 64 mostly secret and complicated techniques,
until the last Headmaster, Shimizu Takaji refined a subset of the
most essential and effective ones. This subset is referred to as
the "Seitei Kata", 12 basic katas, based upon 12 strikes, blocks
or thrusts. These were brought to the United States largely through
the efforts of the great teacher Ms. Tsunaku Miyake in the 1970s,
through 1990s. The 12 techniques, and the 12 katas comprise the
Jyodo being taught in the Clear Creek Aikido dojo.